Planning commission hears about issues with dealership

October 9, 2012

ALPENA - Nancy Hammond, a resident of a home owned by the First Presbyterian Church, approached the Alpena Planning Commission regarding the new Dean Arbour Ford car dealership on US-23 North. Hammond said the dealer has not provided the "screening" necessary to obstruct the view of the vehicles at the house.

Building Inspector Don Gilmet and interim City Manager Greg Sundin told Hammond that when the commission approved the site plan it required Dean Arbour put in place 300 feet of screening, which Gilmet said may be a tad short currently. As a result he is going to measure the trees planted and if it falls beneath the agreed amount, inform Dean Arbor it must comply with the ordered length of cover.

Hammond also said the loudspeakers are quite loud and questioned whether or not they fall in range of the city's decibel level ordinance. Sundin said Gilmet is going to communicate with Dean Arbour Ford Manager Larry Studley about both the issues, but unless the site plan was to be amended and another public hearing hosted, there was little the planning commission could do.

"I'll have Don go over there and he can measure the screening and if there is only, let's say 140 feet, we will remind them the planning commission approved a plan that included 300 feet and they will have to add another 60 feet," Sundin said. "We can also have the decibel level of the speaker system measured and if it not within policy, we will have them adjust it down.'